Category Archives: Photography

Photographers tend to be very creative people, possessing the skill to be able to see when something will make a good photograph.

But it’s about more than just having a good eye.

You need to know how to use high-end photographic equipment and work with light. Never mind your subjects—if you’re photographing landscapes, this is probably less of an issue, but if you’re into photographing people or animals, then getting them to follow your instructions is an incredibly difficult task.

Now, on top of all the creative and technical skills you need to be a good photographer, you also need business skills. To run a successful photography business, you need to be organized, and most importantly, you need to be able to manage your finances. This means budgeting, quoting, and planning. And, at the end of the day, it all comes down to being able to properly calculate profit margins.

We’re going to tell you everything you need to know about how to properly calculate profit margins for your photography business. But first, let’s delve into why it may be different to calculate profit margins for a photography business as opposed to any other kind of business.

What’s Special About Calculating Profit Margins for a Photography Business?

Every business, regardless of the sector of the economy or type of service that’s provided, is going to be different. But this is especially true in the world of photography. Here are the main points of difference:

Variable Costs

Variable costs contribute significantly to why it can be a complicated process to work out profit margins in the photography business.

Variable costs are expenses that tend to vary from project to project, and they are related to things like props, staff, prints, location rentals, and so on. Because these costs are always changing, you need to be constantly doing the math and staying on top of the cost price of your service versus what you’re charging clients.

Time and Skill-Based Services

What you charge clients is going to include a fee for the expertise and experience of the photographer in question. If you’re working with several different photographers of different calibers, you’re likely to charge different rates for each one’s work based on their credentials. Thus, pricing strategies need to include these varying skill sets, making it more difficult to determine a consistent profit margin.

Editing and Post-Production Work

Unlike some other services, photography is a two-part job—the actual photoshoot and then the post-production period. It’s essential that you take into account both periods when calculating overall expenses and your profit margin.

Seasonal Variations

Certain months tend to be more popular for specific types of shoots and photographers that fill certain niches. For instance, if you have photographers who have impressive wedding portfolios, the wedding season is always going to be extremely busy.

Therefore, you’re likely to charge more during this period because you’ll have more demand. Thus, your profit margins need to take into account when you’re charging more and when you’re charging less, and this tends to be more volatile in the photography business than in many other sectors.

Equipment and Depreciation

The photography business requires high-end, specialized, and expensive equipment—more so than many other businesses. So, it’s important that costs for upgrades or emergency equipment replacements are factored into your profit margin.

How to Calculate Profit Margins for a Photography Business

Whether you’re good with numbers or not, the good news is that knowing how to calculate profit margin isn’t too difficult—as long as you know what you’re doing! Luckily, we’re going to explain the whole process to you so that you can follow it from start to finish and be confident in your calculations.

First of all, let’s have a look at the most important part; the formula for calculating profit margin.

Profit Margin = (Net Profit / Revenue) X 100

Looks pretty simple, right? Right! But you need to do a few important calculations before you can start using the main formula. We’re going to set the process out step by step

Step 1: Work Out Your Net Profit

Net Profit = Total Revenue – Total Expenses

Start off by finding your total revenue (that is, all the money that’s come in from clients). Then you’re going to subtract your total expenses from your total revenue.

Your total expenses are going to include absolutely everything you’ve spent during the process— photography equipment, utilities, marketing, transport to and from shoots, taxes, editing software subscriptions, and the fee you pay to your photographer and other staff.
Make sure that you include your direct costs (the ones that relate to the specific photoshoot) as well as indirect costs (a portion of your overhead expenses).

Step 2: Work Out Your Profit Margin

Profit Margin = (Net Profit / Revenue) X 100

Now that you’ve determined your net profit, you’re ready to plug your figures into the general formula. Divide your net profit by your total revenue and multiply the answer by 100. This will give you a percentage, and that percentage is your profit margin.

Example: Let’s say that you worked out your net profit, and it came to be $100,000. Meanwhile, your total revenue is $500,000. Thus, your calculation would go as follows:

Profit Margin = ($100,000 / $500,000) X 100 = 20%

Once your calculations are complete, you can see that your profit margin is 20%. That means that for every dollar you generate, 20 cents is what you’re taking home. Knowing what your profit margin is can be incredibly helpful because you can simply multiply that percentage by whatever your total revenue is, and you’ll end up with the amount of money that you’ve earned.

Now, in the photography business, your profit margin is going to change based on the seasons. In the high (busy) season, your net profit may increase, and your expenses may stay the same. Another factor that could change is that you may start working with a more experienced photographer that requires higher pay, or you may need to replace expensive equipment.

These are the factors that you always need to bear in mind and account for with your indirect and direct expenses when you’re calculating your profit margin. When you do all of this correctly, your photography business can thrive, and your financial position will remain healthy all year round.

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Hugo Suissas, a creative photographer hailing from Lisbon, Portugal, has established himself as a master of visual deception. With an unwavering dedication to his craft, Hugo employs his camera and his inventive mind to play tricks on the eyes of onlookers. Despite being entirely self-taught, he possesses a remarkable ability to seamlessly incorporate ordinary objects into unexpected settings, prompting viewers to perceive familiar items and locations in a fresh and unfamiliar light.

Often described as an artist consumed by his work, Hugo Suissas embodies an almost obsessive passion for his craft. He relentlessly pursues the realization of his imaginative visions, refusing to rest until he successfully captures in a photograph what resides within his mind. This unwavering commitment demands immense effort and discipline. Each day, Hugo takes his place at his desk, armed with a blank sheet of paper and a pen, engaging in a mental exercise to generate meaningful ideas and conceive captivating projects.

What sets Hugo apart is his insatiable drive to create something truly unprecedented, not just on our own planet but across galaxies. Fuelled by an irrepressible desire, he is constantly propelled forward, eager to bring to life innovative and boundary-pushing creations. In this pursuit of the extraordinary, Hugo Suissas finds his inspiration, his motivation, and his reason to continue pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.

Scroll down and inspire yourself. Check Hugo’s Instagram for more amazing work and information.

You can find Hugo Suissas on the Web :

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In this episode of Art After Dark, the artist and poet Julian Knxx visits an exhibition by the photographer Jermaine Francis, at the new Centre for British Photography on Jermyn Street. In A Storied Ground, a series of works here shown in London for the first time, Francis explores the black presence in nature – historically the black figure is absent in the English landscape, both in life and in art. Our landscape too has a strong relationship to nationalism and colonialism – the idea of Englishness woven into the landscape, ideas of land stewardship and ownership.

Art After Dark: Artist Julian Knxx at the Centre for British Photography

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Francis considers how these complex, layered codes influence how the black figure is seen. What does it mean to be black in these spaces? he asks. Julian Knxx, who has exhibited his work at 180 The Strand and elsewhere, uses words, image. film and performance to tell stories rooted in his Sierra Leonean heritage, exploring identity in all its complexities and his birth country’s untold histories.

Francis’s exhibition is one of a number of shows at the Centre of British Photography, which opened last year. It was set up by James and Claire Hyman, who wanted to create a non-profit space in which they could share their vast collection of photography with the public. The displays change several times a year, and explore the full range of photography being made here, and of what it means to be British.

In this film, Julian examines Jermaine Francis’s work on a physical as well as a visual level, and the metaphors he uses to explore his subject.

britishphotography.org; studioknxx.com

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Are you planning on turning your passion for capturing images into a profession? Starting a photography business could be an exciting pursuit. After all, not everyone gets to earn money doing what they love.

But as with any business, you are bound to encounter challenges and make mistakes during your new venture, especially at the inception. Certain pitfalls could be costlier than others, so identifying them in advance is crucial. Here are four common mistakes to avoid when launching your very own photography business.

Underpricing Your Services

In a transactional economy, understanding the value of what you offer is key for efficient and effective transactions. This makes accurate pricing pivotal for the success of any business.

According to CB Insights, pricing mistakes are responsible for the failure of 18% of companies. Understandably, how well you strike the right balance when determining the value of your services could make or break your enterprise.

Underpricing is a common mistake photographers make when launching their first business. At the initial stages of a company, finding customers is difficult when you lack substantial experience or references. As a result, you will be more inclined to sell yourself short to attract clients.

However, setting rates below the market average has several drawbacks. It devalues your services, creating a less-than-favorable impression of your skills. Unusually low prices can cause suspicion and doubt when a customer is willing to pay a fair fee for the services they acquire.

Remember, a reasonable price signals reasonable skills and a lower price can indicate inferior talent. So, by lowering your rates, you could lose valuable business instead of gaining more work.

Besides, by consistently charging less, you create a certain expectation in the customer’s mind. And when you raise rates later, they could feel disappointed and go elsewhere.

So, before starting a business, research your competitors’ rate cards and understand average market pricing. Also, assess your skill levels and determine your cost base to devise an appropriate pricing strategy. For instance, when launching your company, you can offer a limited-time discount for the first X number of customers. It will allow you to create an initial customer base and quickly increase your prices to market levels thereafter.

Failing to Keep in Touch

For most photographers, customer communication typically ends when they deliver the work. But this is when it should actually begin.

Strong customer relationships make it easier to generate repeat business, leverage word-of-mouth publicity, and gain referrals. But relationships require nurturing, and that takes time and effort.

So, start by building a database of existing clients. Use their contact numbers for periodic SMS campaigns. A reverse number lookup on PhoneHistory can also get you their email addresses and social media links. These are useful for reaching out via regular emails and connecting with them on social media for more effective engagement.

Use these mediums to share your work as your portfolio expands and to let customers know about new services. You can even reach out to them just to say hello. All these will help you remain on top of their minds and ensure you are the first photographer they think of when opportunities arise.

Not Preparing a Business Plan

If you intend to make a living out of your photography services, treating it as a business is important. And no business can survive without a plan.

An effective business plan enables you to avoid some of the common reasons for startup failure, including flawed business models and cash flow problems.

For instance, a business plan allows you to define your business model in detail. You get to assess your strengths and weaknesses and decide what type of photography opportunities you want to pursue—from corporate events and social gatherings to fashion shoots, weddings, and portraits.

It is also an opportunity to understand what resources you may need. For instance, should you have a studio? If so, is there space at your home, or should you rent a separate office? All these questions will help you dig deeper into your business idea and fine-tune it further. It will also enable you to identify roadblocks and determine the necessary action to overcome them.

The most significant aspect of a business plan is that it pushes you to set goals by considering what you want to achieve in the near term and your long-term vision for your enterprise. Five years from now, you may want to hire other photographers and expand your business into several locations. Achieving such lofty goals is certainly possible with a prudent strategy and plan.

Ignoring Marketing Opportunities

Did you know that 22% of businesses fail due to marketing mishaps? Regardless of your business’s scale, devising a marketing plan is crucial for your success.

Naturally, you will not have a substantial budget when starting a new venture. But this is not an issue when you deploy digital marketing tactics.

A website, for instance, can help you leverage your portfolio—inarguably, your biggest selling point—to gain new customers. It can feature your best work and client testimonials. Besides, setting up a website is easy and affordable thanks to the countless free web templates and cheap hosting plans on offer today. But if you don’t want to spend on hosting services and domain names, Behance, Instagram, and Facebook can all provide a platform to share your work.

Maintaining a social media presence is also important for your photography business. It allows you to create an audience, showcase your portfolio, spread the word, share your knowledge, engage with others, and build an online reputation.

Email marketing is another proven method to create awareness and generate leads. In fact, 64% of small businesses rely on it to reach customers.

To Wrap Up

Starting your very own photography business could be an exhilarating experience. But there are a few common mistakes every entrepreneur needs to avoid. Underpricing services, not keeping in touch with clients, failure to develop a business plan, and ignoring essential marketing activities rank high among them.

So, avoid these pitfalls to ensure business success. Believe in yourself, stay focused, and remain persistent as you build a thriving enterprise. Most importantly, keep in mind that technologies, techniques, and knowledge change over time. So, never stop learning your trade if you want to remain on top.

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The photographic endeavors of Brett Leigh Dicks — a longtime Independent contributor who divides his time between Santa Barbara and Fremantle, Australia — have a clever way of finding depth and poetry in everything from decommissioned prisons to old aircrafts. He’s in town to do an artist talk and photography pop-up titled “Time and Again,” at Patricia Clarke Studio in Carpinteria on June 25, as part of the Facing Ourselves Presents project focused on meaningful conversations. 

Dicks has recently turned his lens toward the eccentric underground desert town of Coober Pedy, Australia, resulting in an exposé for the New York Times, so expect to hear about that work, as well his recent series on working-class “lunch bars” (a uniquely Western Australian working-class phenomenon), and documentation of remote outback communities (a project for the State Library of Western Australia), as well as his current work as artist-in-residence at the Museum of the Goldfields in Kalgoorlie, Australia, where he’s working on a repeat photography project (the practice of taking multiple photographs of the same subject, from the same location, at different times) based on the Western Australian Museum’s historic Dwyer & Mackay Collection.

I can say from personal experience that Dicks is always an engaging conversationalist, and Patricia Clarke is the consummate hostess. This is sure to be an interesting and meaningful discussion of the role of art, photography, and the documentation of life.

This free event takes place on Sunday, June 25, from 3-6 p.m. at Patricia Clarke Studio (410 Palm Ave., #A-18, Carpinteria). For more information or to RSVP, visit facingourselves.org/events/brett-leigh-dicks.

Prepare to be enchanted as Jyo John Mulloor returns with an enchanting collection of new images, showcasing the irresistible charm of miniature wild animals. These adorable creatures are so tiny that they could comfortably rest in the palm of your hand. Aptly titled “Macro World,” this project has already captured the hearts of many.

Jyo John Mulloor, previously sharing insights into his creative process, unveils the fascinating journey behind his captivating work. It all begins with the spark of an idea, as he sketches rough visuals in a dedicated book, giving form to his imaginative concepts. From there, he transforms these ideas into tangible images, employing specific prompts as his guiding framework.

Prepare yourself for an “awww” moment as you scroll down through this heartwarming series. We eagerly invite you to share your thoughts in the comments section and show your appreciation by upvoting your favorite adorable animals.

You can find Jyo John Mulloor on the web:

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“Each project involves customizing prompts to achieve the desired outcome. However, navigating the realm of AI-generated images during the creative process can present challenges. To overcome this hurdle, I follow a meticulous, multi-step approach to ensure the final result is as realistic as possible. I generate multiple AI images, meticulously combining them in Photoshop, and then proceed to painstakingly repaint over the composition, infusing it with a lifelike essence. This process demands time and dedication, but the end result is always a testament to its worth.”

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Introduced as a more affordable alternative to the Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S, the Nikkor Z 70-180mm f/2.8 slots in alongside the Nikon 17-28mm f/2.8 and 28-75mm f/2.8. It’s a general-purpose telephoto zoom with a constant aperture of f/2.8. This makes it attractive for a wide range of photography, including portrait, lifestyle, sport, nature and events.

The lens is also compatible with Nikon’s Z Teleconverter TC-2.0x and Z Teleconverter TC-1.4x, which make its focal length range 140-360mm and 98-252mm, respectively. When the Z Teleconverter TC-2.0x is used with the Z 70-180MM F/2.8, its maximum reproduction ratio is doubled to 0.96x, almost turning it into a true macro lens.

The lens has 19 elements arranged in 14 groups, including 5 ED elements, 1 super-ED element, and 3 aspherical elements, and it weighs just 795g. Its focusing mechanism, which uses a stepper motor (STM), operates internally, so the front element doesn’t rotate during focusing. However, it changes length when zooming from one focal length to another.

Nikon Nikkor Z 70-180MM F/2.8 price and availability

The Nikon Nikkor Z 70-180MM F/2.8 is set to go on sale on 13th July, priced at £1,299 / €1,499.

Photographers and filmmakers worldwide submitted their extraordinary work to Earth Photo 2023, an international competition and exhibition showcasing images that convey captivating narratives about our planet. Amongst a staggering number of over 1,400 entries, a distinguished panel of judges, comprising experts from the realms of photography, film, geography, and the environment, meticulously curated the Earth Photo 2023 shortlist. This compilation features 128 remarkable photos and videos contributed by 56 talented photographers and filmmakers.

You can witness these exceptional works of art in person at the Earth Photo exhibition, which will debut at the renowned Royal Geographical Society in London, running from 17th June to 23rd August 2023. Additionally, the exhibition will extend its reach to five stunning Forestry England sites across the country, captivating audiences from 23rd June 2023 to 28th January 2024.

Mark your calendars for the grand announcement of the winners, set to take place at the Royal Geographical Society on Thursday, 22nd June. For more details and to secure your tickets.

You can find more info about Earth Photo:

#1 Green Barrier By Sandipani Chattopadhyay

#2 Coral Slime By Kerry Lowes

#3 Ingenuity Innovation on Inle Lake, Myanmar By Ju Shen Lee

#4 Lost Villages By Neil A White

#5 Crate to Plate By Joanna Vestey

#6 Airborne Ilex By Rob Kesseler

#7 Brick Kilns By Azim Khan Ronnie

#8 War Babies By Michal Siarek

#9 Gone Fishing By Neal Haddaway

#10 E-waste in Ghana By Sandra Weller

#11 Chalk Streams By Ellie Davies

#12 Tawny Owl By Sam Laughlin

#13 Bellingshausen Sea By James Kirkham

#14 The Edge of Existence By Robin Dodd

#15 Wooden Diamonds By Filippo Ferraro

#16 Food in the Garbage By Subrata Dey

#17 House Affected By Flood By Azim Khan Ronnie

#18 Searching For Life By Sandipani Chattopadhyay

#19 The Neighbour’s Got A new Car By Marcel Stahn

#20 Floating Vegetable Farming By Azim Khan Ronnie

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Sharjah’s Xposure International Photography Festival is now accepting entries for its next International Photography and Film Awards.

The annual competition is returning for its eighth event next year. The festival and its awards component received more than 17,000 submissions from 180 countries this year. Organisers say they recorded an 80 per cent increase in submissions compared with previous years.

Amateur and professional photographers are invited to submit work to the competition before October 30. Photographers can submit up to 10 images or films in one of the categories.

These include Architectural Photography, Drone Photography, Nature and Landscape, Photojournalism, Portraiture, Street Photography, Short Film and Moving Image. Two categories have also been created in collaboration with Samsung, including Night Photography and Mobile Photography.

One person will also be named overall winner of the competition, receiving a $6,000 prize. Category winners will receive $3,000, whereas runners-up will be awarded $1,500. The top five entries in each category will also be displayed in an exhibition during the festival.

A category is also dedicated to UAE residents. The Junior category is open to amateurs who dabble in stills, whether captured on phone, DSLR or mirrorless cameras. The entries must have been photographed in the past three years. The highest-rated seven works will be exhibited at Xposure 2024. Equipment prizes will be awarded to first and second-place winners.

“Xposure is a globally recognised platform for celebrating photography, film and other visual mediums,” says Tariq Saeed Allay, director general of Sharjah Government Media Bureau.

“The annual celebration has created prolific new opportunities for up-and-coming photographers and visual artists to showcase themselves and highlight their careers.”